How to Replace the Rear Speakers in a 2001 Buick Regal

The rear speakers in a 2001 Buick Regal are located underneath the rear window shelf trim panel. In many vehicles, the rear speakers can be accessed by simply opening the trunk and removing screws from underneath the rear window shelf. The procedure for replacing the speakers in a 2001 Buick Regal is more complicated and involves removing the entire back seat including the cushion and seat back in order to access the speakers.

Things You'll Need

Ratchet

Metric socket set

Flathead screwdriver

Open the back passenger doors. Pull the tabs located under the lower-front edge of the seat cushion retainers to release the rear seat cushion. Lift up on the seat cushion and remove it from the seat retainers.

Remove the nuts from the rear seat retaining bracket at the bottom of the rear seat back structure, using a ratchet and a metric socket. Grab the bottom of the rear seat back and lift it straight up to disengage the slots on the seat back frame from the rear seat back. If you have a folding rear seat, remove the bolts from the rear seat latches, using a ratchet and metric socket. Remove the rear seat back.

Gently pull up on the rear upper quarter trim panel to separate it from the top of the seating area frame. Set the panel aside. Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry out the push pins on the front of the rear window shelf trim panel. Lift up the panel and slide the seat belts out through the small slit in the side of the seat belt slots. Raise the panel slightly and slide it forward to disengage the panel’s self-contained mounting hook from the retaining latch on the vehicle’s frame. Unplug the third stop lamp electrical connector and remove the rear window shelf trim panel from the vehicle.

Peel back the plastic sound barrier. Depress the plastic mounting clip on the back side passenger side rear speaker and lift the front tabs up and out of the mounting holes. Disconnect the speaker’s electrical connector. Depress the plastic mounting clips on the driver’s side rear speaker and lift the front tabs up and out of the mounting holes. Disconnect the speaker’s electrical connector.

Reinstall each speaker by connecting the electrical connectors on the new speakers and aligning the front mounting tabs with the mounting slots on the rear window shelf. Press each speaker down into it’s mounting hole until the rear locking tab clicks into place. Fold the plastic sound barrier back over the rear window shelf and press it into place.

Align the rear window shelf trim panel inside the vehicle and reconnect the high stop lamp’s electrical connector. Slide the panel toward the rear window to engage the integrated retaining hook with the frame’s mounting latch. Install the seat belts in the panel by feeding them through the side seat belt cut out slits. Reinstall the push pins on the front of the panel. Reinstall the rear upper quarter trim panel.

Position the rear seat back inside the vehicle and attach the rear seat back frame to the hangers on the rear seat shelf frame. Reinstall the rear seat back nuts and tighten them to 89 inch-pounds, using a torque wrench. If you have a rear folding seat, reinstall the rear seat back latch bolts and tighten them to 53 inch-pounds.

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Set the rear seat cushion inside the vehicle and alight it with the rear seat cushion retainers. Engage the longer right-side retainer first, and then engage the shorter left side retainer. Verify that both the seat cushion and the rear seat back are firmly attached to the vehicle. Turn on the radio and confirm that the speakers operate properly.

Tips & Warnings

This procedure can be somewhat tedious and has many small steps. Be sure that you work slowly and methodically; don’t allow yourself to become frustrated and force any of the pieces free. Doing so could cause damage to the seating components in your vehicle and end up increasing the cost of this repair.